Pressure sores and wound care: when might poor care be negligent?
How risk assessments, repositioning, equipment, wound monitoring and escalation may be reviewed when a pressure sore causes avoidable harm.
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Hospital & treatment
Pressure Sore & Wound Care Negligence Claims
Pressure sores and wound complications can sometimes develop despite appropriate care. A claim may require investigation where risk, repositioning, skin checks, nutrition, equipment, infection or deterioration were not managed reasonably and avoidable harm followed.
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Quick check
Could this apply to you?
1
Pressure-ulcer risk not assessed or reviewed
2
Repositioning or skin checks not carried out
3
Suitable pressure-relieving equipment not provided
Last updated 9 October 2026
Understanding the claim
When might a claim be investigated?
A poor outcome alone does not prove negligence. The investigation considers what a reasonably competent healthcare professional should have done and whether any failure made a material difference to the outcome.
Pressure-ulcer risk not assessed or reviewed
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Repositioning or skin checks not carried out
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Suitable pressure-relieving equipment not provided
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Wound deterioration or infection not escalated
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Poor discharge or community wound-care planning
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Incomplete wound records or handovers
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
When pressure sores may require investigation
A pressure sore is not automatically evidence of negligence. The assessment considers the person’s clinical risks, mobility, skin condition and the preventative steps that were reasonably required.
Concerns may justify review where known risks were not assessed, prevention plans were not followed or deterioration was not acted on promptly.
Wound care across different settings
Responsibility may pass between a hospital, GP, district nursing service and care provider. Records and handovers can help establish who was responsible at each stage and whether care was coordinated appropriately.
Showing avoidable harm
Independent evidence may be needed to assess whether different care would probably have prevented the sore, limited its severity or reduced infection, pain, treatment and recovery time.
Evidence
What evidence may help?
Relevant evidence depends on the circumstances. Common sources include:
01
Hospital, GP and community nursing records
The evidence is considered alongside the chronology and appropriate independent expert opinion.
02
Pressure-risk assessments and repositioning charts
The evidence is considered alongside the chronology and appropriate independent expert opinion.
03
Wound photographs, care plans and equipment records
The evidence is considered alongside the chronology and appropriate independent expert opinion.
04
Independent nursing and relevant medical expert evidence
The evidence is considered alongside the chronology and appropriate independent expert opinion.
Useful next steps
Guidance related to pressure sore & wound care
Pressure sores and wound care
Read about prevention, treatment, evidence and when poor care may require investigation.
Evidence needed for a claim
See how care records, photographs and independent evidence may be used.
Check your circumstances
Begin with a short, confidential initial enquiry.
The process
What happens after an initial enquiry
- 01
Initial enquiry
Tell us what happened, when the treatment took place and how you were affected.
- 02
Early assessment
The key facts, limitation position and whether further investigation may be appropriate are considered.
- 03
Records & evidence
Relevant medical records, chronology and evidence of any financial losses may be obtained.
- 04
Expert review
Appropriate independent experts may address breach of duty, causation, condition and prognosis.
- 05
Claim & negotiation
Where the evidence supports a claim, the relevant defendant can be notified and liability or settlement discussed.
- 06
Resolution
The matter may conclude by agreement or, where necessary, through the court process.
Compensation
What can compensation take into account?
There is no reliable generic calculator for medical negligence. Where liability is established, compensation can reflect the individual injury and financial consequences supported by evidence.
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Past and future loss of earnings
- Care and assistance
- Rehabilitation and treatment
- Equipment, travel or accommodation needs
- Other reasonable losses caused by the injury
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Tell us what happened.
Questions answered
Pressure Sore & Wound Care FAQs
Is every pressure sore caused by negligence?
No. Some people remain at high risk despite appropriate care. A claim depends on whether reasonable preventative and treatment measures were missed and whether that caused avoidable harm.
Can a claim involve both a hospital and care home?
Potentially. The chronology and records may show that care passed between organisations. Responsibility and causation must be assessed on the individual evidence.
Do photographs help?
Photographs can help document progression, but they are considered alongside clinical notes, care plans, risk assessments and expert evidence.
Can relatives make an enquiry?
Yes. A relative can make an initial enquiry, although the correct person to provide instructions or bring a claim depends on the patient’s circumstances.
Related guidance
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